Tag: Recruiting tips

Tips on Time Management 

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Getting the hang of managing your time is super important for doing well in school, sports, and recruiting. It’s like finding the right balance between everything, and it’s not just about being good but also staying strong when things get tough. Using your time wisely means giving each part of your life the attention it needs. This helps you do great in school, shine in sports, and handle the challenges of recruiting.

Balancing everything is like having a secret game plan for success, where staying focused and being prepared makes your recruiting journey smoother. So, in the mix of school, sports, and recruiting, managing your time well is the key to rocking it all.

SAT & ACT – Reinstated

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Why Student-Athletes Should Prioritize Standardized Testing for College Recruiting
If you’re a student-athlete looking to play at the next level, taking standardized tests like the SAT or ACT is more important than ever. Many colleges—including private institutions, public universities, and state higher education systems—have reinstated their test score requirements this year. After experimenting with test-optional policies during the pandemic, schools are reaffirming the value of standardized testing in the admissions process.

For student-athletes, strong test scores can be a game-changer. Not only do they help meet admissions requirements, but they can also make you a more attractive recruit by demonstrating academic readiness. Some schools remain test-optional or test-preferred, meaning they may consider SAT or ACT scores when making admissions decisions and awarding scholarships. Submitting competitive scores can set you apart from other recruits, potentially leading to better financial aid opportunities and improving your chances of acceptance at your dream school.

As you navigate the college recruiting process, be sure to research each school’s testing policy. Understanding whether a college requires, prefers, or considers test scores can help you make informed decisions and maximize your recruiting opportunities. Don’t let a missing test score hold you back—prepare, take the test, and give yourself every possible advantage in the recruiting and admissions.

NCAA’s New Transfer Portal Rules:What Athletes Need to Know for 2024-25

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The NCAA has recently implemented significant changes to the transfer portal for Division I football and women’s basketball. These adjustments, particularly the two-window system, are intended to streamline the transfer process while balancing flexibility and stability within college athletics.

The revamped notification-of-transfer process now operates within a 30-day period split into two windows: one in winter and another in spring. For the 2024-25 academic year, the first transfer window will open on December 9, the Monday following the FBS conference championships, and close on December 28. The second window will span April 16-25, providing athletes with another opportunity to enter the portal. By consolidating these periods, the NCAA aims to simplify decisions for athletes while minimizing disruptions for both teams and individual players.

The two-window system also limits the possibility of last-minute transfers that may disrupt team dynamics or require urgent roster adjustments. By setting definitive dates, the NCAA allows for better planning by athletic departments and more thoughtful decision-making by student-athletes.

Overall, these NCAA adjustments balance athletes’ needs for flexibility with institutional stability, promising a more controlled and transparent transfer system that should benefit both current players and prospective recruits.

Off-Season Gains: Bulk Up and Boost Agility for Peak Performance

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Off-Season Training: Bulk Up While Improving Speed and Agility

For high school athletes, the off-season is the perfect time to build strength, bulk up, and enhance speed and agility. A well-rounded approach combining strength training, functional drills, and proper nutrition can help achieve these goals.

Start with strength and power training. Incorporate compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses to build muscle. Add explosive movements such as power cleans and box jumps to improve power. Pair this with speed drills like resisted sprints and sled pushes to translate strength gains into speed.

A high-calorie diet rich in lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats fuels muscle growth. Consuming 4–6 meals daily ensures consistent energy for workouts.

Don’t forget rest promotes recovery so get plenty of it. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. 

Finally, integrate hybrid training. Combine sprint intervals, cone drills, and lifting sessions to enhance agility and strength. Include recovery methods like dynamic stretching or yoga to maintain mobility.

By following this regimen, athletes can bulk up and dominate on the field when the season begins.

Goal Setting for Student-Athletes

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Goal Setting for Student-Athletes

Goal setting is a powerful tool for student-athletes to achieve success, both on and off the field. By setting clear objectives and measuring progress, athletes can build discipline, focus, and confidence. Here are four essential steps to effective goal setting:

1. Set Your Goal

Define what you want to accomplish. Your goal should be specific, measurable, and realistic. For example, instead of saying, “I want to be a better hitter,” set a goal like, “I want to increase my batting average by 20 points this season.” Clarity provides direction and motivation.

2. Write Action Steps

Break your goal into actionable steps. If your goal is to improve strength, your action steps might include committing to a 4-day workout plan, maintaining a protein-rich diet, and incorporating recovery techniques like stretching and hydration. Writing these steps down makes your goal tangible and creates a roadmap to success.

3. Track Progress

Consistently monitor your efforts and results. Keep a journal or use an app to log workouts, practice times, or game statistics. Tracking progress keeps you accountable and helps you adjust your plan when needed.

4. Celebrate Success

Reaching your goal is the ultimate reward. Reflect on your journey, recognize your growth, and set new challenges. Success fuels motivation and confidence for future endeavors.

Effective goal setting isn’t just about reaching the finish line—it’s about building habits that lead to continuous improvement. Start today!

Recruiting myths about the quiet period 

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Recruiting becomes hot as August begins, just as summer begins to cool down. However, before it starts to boil, there is a brief pause in recruiting. That pause is known as the Quiet Period.

There are many myths and misconceptions about the Quiet Period, so this article will clear up five of them. 

Photo by Lucas Andrade at Unsplash

Myth #1: That quiet period means absolute silence. Most parents and athletes think that this mean coaches can’t talk to prospective student athletes. True, NCAA communication rules are restricted during the quiet period. But in the end, colleges coaches are permitted to communicate with prospective student athletes during the quiet period.

Myth #2: Athletes can’t contact coaches. Not true. According to the NCAA recruiting guidelines, prospective student athletes can contact college coaches beginning on the first day of freshman year. Additionally, student-athletes are permitted to contact coaches at any time during the recruiting process.

Myth #3: College Coaches don’t recruit during the quiet period. False, coaches recruit year round. Just look at all the offers posted on social media! So, since college coaches continue to recruit during the quiet period athletes need both communication and recruiting exposure year around

Myth #4: On campus invites during the Quiet Period are money grabs. Not necessarily. Some invites are in fact money grabs so it’s up to the athlete and parents to learn the difference. The NCAA rules state contact with prospective student athletes is permissible on the college campus. So, how else can coaches get athletes on campus but to invite them to a prospect camp? 

Myth #5: College coaches can’t make offers during the quiet period. Again, the quiet period does not mean dead silence. Instead, the quiet period regulates communication between college coaches and prospective student athletes. During the quiet period coaches can and do make scholarship offers. 

The origin of these myths and misconceptions is from athletes and parents being unfamiliar with the recruiting process. Information is pieced together from bits and pieces heard from other players and parents. It’s similar to trying to put together a jumbled puzzle, but missing several key pieces. It doesn’t matter how much effort you put in, the end result will be an incomplete picture. Don’t rely on rumors and hearsay from other parents. Become educated about the recruiting process or find someone who is. 

what student athletes can do to improve their recruiting situation during the quiet period

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What is the quiet period? What does it mean for recruiting?

According to the NCAA, during a quiet period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

So, with prospective student athletes, college coaches are not permitted to have; in person evaluations, official campus visits or in person contacts. But, student athletes should be aware that written and telephone communication is permissible during the quiet period. 


Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

However, like any other Quiet Period throughout the recruiting calendar, the recruiting process does not stop. Consider the quiet period a time-out from the evaluation process.  

So, student-athletes, what can you do to improve your recruiting situation right now?  

First, get your highlight reel looking sharp. By now you should have a highlights from summer camps, showcases as well as previous seasons, plus some training video. Use this footage to make short highlight and skills videos that can be added to your recruiting profile and viewed by college coaches. 

Next, assess recruiting goals with realistic expectations. If you’ve had your mind set on certain school but have not been contacted by a college coach don’t expect contact anytime soon. Instead, do an honest comparison of your level of play to the quality of athletes being recruited. This will help you determine a good college fit and will also point you to college coaches that you should be contacting. 

Then, expand your methods of contacting college coaches. Don’t just rely on twitter to blast out your video links or show clips of getting one hit during a game. Instead, use multiple points of contact including email, text, and, if you’re brave enough, go old school, by actually making a phone call to a college coach.

Overall, during the quiet period it is important for the student-athlete to stay focused!  The quiet period does not mean that recruiting comes to a dead stop. Lots of recruiting is still to come. 

Is recruiting is going the way you hoped it would? Have questions about the recruiting process? Comment below or DM me. I’m glad to help.

Stay informed: Don’t miss out on recruiting opportunities

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Because, many athletes and parents lack understanding of the contact rules and regulations many athletes are put at a disadvantage and ultimately miss out on recruiting opportunities. Serious athletes and their parents need to stay informed.

For example, did you know that during the December contact period it is permissible for an authorized athletic department staff member to have in person, off campus contacts with prospective student athletes. Who is included in the scope of authorized athletic department staff member? 

Other misconceptions derive from not knowing what communication is permitted and what is prohibited during the regulated NCAA contact periods. These contacts, along with evaluations, are not only restricted but must also be counted by the coach as a contact, otherwise , it can lead to a recruiting violation.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Here is a quick summary of the recruiting periods.  

A contact occurs any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face contact with a college-bound student-athlete or his or her parents off the college’s campus.

During the contact period a college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, watch student-athletes compete and visit their high schools, and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents.

During the evaluation period a college coach may watch college-bound student-athletes compete, visit their high schools, and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents. However, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents off the college’s campus during an evaluation period.

During the quiet period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write or telephone college-bound student-athletes or their parents during this time.

During a dead period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

So, athletes, what can you do to improve your recruiting situation right now?  

  1. Get your highlight reel looking tight. By now you should have a highlights from previous seasons on your Hudl page, plus some training video available online. 
  2. Broaden your reach with coaches you want to contact. Use more than one medium to contact coaches. Don’t just rely on twitter to blast out your Hudl link. Rely on email and text. And, if you’re brave enough, go old school, actually making a phone call to a college coach.
  3. Stay focused! Lots of recruiting happens at this time of year. Keep in mind that the contact period is only open for 2 weeks, then its back to the quiet period until January. So be patient with the process. 

Is recruiting is going  the way you hoped it would? Have questions about the recruiting process? Comment below or DM me. I’m glad to help. 

How athletes can use Reevuu technology to get great coaching

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In the mind of an high performing athlete finding ways to get better is top priority. Even when they are at the top of their game, high performing athletes look for ways to improve. The seek to find an edges and are certain that coaching can give them what is needed to break through to the next level.  Today, technology allows for athletes to get great coaching from experts in the sport.

But sadly, many of athletes think they know it all and don’t need any help. Ego is like a little voice whispering lies and fills them with false confidence that no one else is good enough to help. But to get to the next level, everyone needs help.  Even the greatest of athletes of all time have relied on coaches to get them to the next level.

Here are three reasons to seek a coach: 
1. Coaches know first hand what is necessary to become great. 

2.  Coaches see the things athletes cannot see. 

3. Coaches comprehend the vision so they push past the limits and on towards new levels of achievement. 

Firmly, I believe that great coaches make great players. In contrast, great players don’t make great coaches. If you are willing to get coaching, don’t just go out and find any so-called coach. I encourage you to seek out a great coach. 

So, I wanted to invite you to check out Reevuu, a new online coaching platform for student athletes.
 
Reevuu is a platform that allows players to upload a video of their practice, drills, game or highlights to the app for a certified coach to critique for a small fee. Free reviews are also available!

What’s cool about it is that the coach will review the video and provide athletes with a detailed breakdown, instruction and specific training / drills the athlete should work on based on the video they submitted.

Student athletes interested in checking out Reevuu can click here.

Coaches interested in checking out Reevuu can click here.

FREE copy of my ultimate guide to writing recruiting emails that get student athletes noticed! FREE!

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Today is Opening Day! Baseball is back!!! I’m so excited to see sports that today, and today only, I will be giving away a copy of my ultimate guide to writing recruiting emails that get student athletes noticed! FREE!

Every athlete needs to know how to properly communicate the information that college coaches really want to know about recruits.

My goal in this ebook is to guide student-athletes with valuable tips and easy to fill in templates they can use to write recruiting emails that get them noticed. 

What is the key to writing recruiting emails that actually catch the attention of a college coaches? How do other athletes do it? And what information should be included when writing an email to a college coach?

Recruiting emails are most effective when a properly written to peak the curiosity of college coaches and get noticed. 

To get your FREE copy of my ultimate guide to writing recruiting emails that get student athletes noticed text the word FREE to 480-605-4050.